Best-selling author and self-help guru James Ray was convicted last month of negligent homicide in the 2009 deaths of three people at a ceremony he led in an Arizona sweat lodge. His conviction raises enduring questions about how far society should go in monitoring therapeutic spiritual activities, particularly when matters of health and safety are at stake.<\/p>\n
The nation faced similar issues in the late 19th century. After several Massachusetts residents died in the 1890s following Christian Science and “mental healing” treatments for illnesses, the state legislature drew up new licensing requirements designed to restrict anyone who offered healing without a medical degree. Pioneering psychologist William James lobbied against the measures, arguing that “mind cure” treatments seemed to relieve suffering and led to some documented cures….<\/p>\n